Automatic cut-off nozzle



INVENTOR.

L. D. DIXON AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF NOZZLE File'd May 15, 1955 April 23, 1959 AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF NOZZLE Lawrence D. Dixon, Bellrose, N.Y.

Application May 13, 1955, Serial No. 508,261

4 Claims. (Cl. 141-209) The present invention is directed to nozzles which are applied to hoses for feeding liquid fuels, and more particularly to a nozzle arrangement which cuts off the flow of fuel automatically under predetermined conditions.

Devices of this type are commonly used in gasoline service stations in connection with the delivery of liquid fuels into the tank of a car, truck or the like. Such devices are introduced into the neck of the fuel tank and the arrangement is such that when the level of liquid rises into the neck of the tank, a valve in the nozzle is tripped so that it closes and cuts oif the flow of fuel. Such devices have been satisfactory when new but after a relatively short time, wear occurs in the device, whereby the sensitiveness thereof is decreased. Also the pressure in the pump which forces fuel through the nozzle varies under different conditions, as for example when the pump is relatively old the pressure decreases so that often the tripping mechanism does not operate. Another defect in prior devices is the accidental entrance into the vacuum chamber of liquid or dirt or both, thus decreasing the effectiveness of the arrangement and often resulting in failure of the tripping mechanism to operate.

The present invention is intended and adapted to overcome the difficulties and disadvantages inherent in prior devices of the type described, it being among the objects of the present invention to provide an improved construction of an automatic cut-01f nozzle, which is sturdy, which minimizes wear in the several moving parts thereof and wherein the essential elements are readily accessible for cleaning, replacement or the like.

It is also among the objects of the present invention to provide an automatic cut-01f nozzle wherein the tripping mechanism is sensitive and wherein means are provided for adjusting the sensitiveness thereof under changing conditions or where desirable for elficient operation thereof.

It is further among the objects of the present invention to provide a modified structure whereby dirt and dust and liquid are prevented from entering the vacuum chamber, thus insuring positive operation of the tripping mechanism.

In practicing the present invention there is provided a mechanism similar to that of the prior art in which there is a vacuum chamber, a diaphragm to which a tripping mechanism is attached and a valve adapted to be tripped thereby. It also includes an opening between the vacuum chamber and that portion of the body through which the liquid flows. The end of said opening which is within said passage is protected by means of a mesh, screen or the like, which prevents a back-flow of liquid from said passage into the vacuum chamber. Another feature of the invention is the provision of an adjustment means whereby the sensitiveness of the diaphragm to changes in pressure may be increased or decreased as conditions dictate. Other details of the invention will be further set forth below.

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawing constituting a part hereof, in which like reference characters indicate like parts, and in which:

nite tats Pate Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an automatic cutoff nozzle made in accordance with the present invention, some parts being shown in cross-section for clearness;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the diaphragm and mechanism associated therewith, which is adapted to trip the cut-olf valve;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view" of the valve and associated parts, and

Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional View taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

The device includes an inlet 1 having a threaded end 2 to which a hose is adapted to be attached. Flat valve 3 has a tapered base 3' and is adapted to contact with seat 4. A spring 5 contacting upper face of valve 3 is held in cap 6 threaded into body 6. Valve stem 7 terminating at 8 is held in position by bushing 9.

Said end 8 contacts boss 10 on lever 11 having an operating end 12 at the rear thereof. A latch 13 has teeth 14 adapted to be contacted by end 12 and is pivoted on said body at 15. A spring 16 biases latch 13 upwardly and to the right of Fig. l.

A guard 17 has one end in the form of a fork pivoted at 17 to extension 18, depending from body 6'. An exit pipe 19 extends upwardly and downwardly from said body. Lever 11 is pivoted at 20 to operating rod 20'.

An opening 21 allows communication from passage 21' to vacuum chamber 22. A groove 23 communicates with opening 21 and a screen 24 attached to the wall of passage 21' covers groove 23.

Diaphragm 25 is clamped at 26 to cover vacuum chamber 22. Spring 27 tends to move diaphragm 25 to the left. An annular guard 28 is provided to cover the outer area of said diaphragm. An extension 29 on the left of said diaphragm is held in position by said screws 30.

Slide 31 has pivoted at 32 a link 33, the other end of which is pivoted at 34 to extension 29. A block 35 has mounted therein a roller 36 on which extension 29 rests, whereby undue movement thereof is prevented. The upper end 37 of rod 20' is threaded into the lower end of slide 5 and a spring 38 biases said rod downwardly. Contacting vertical surface 39 of slide 20 is roller 40 pivoted at 41 to cover 42.

An adjusting screw 43 threaded into slide 31 has the inner end thereof contacting the face of extension 29. A tube 44 within pipe 19 has an opening at 45 for the entrance of air, the other end 46 thereof entering vacuum chamber 22.

In Fig. 3 there is shown one manner of mounting adjusting screw 43 with respect to extension 29. Link 33 held in recess 47 is contacted by the inner end of adjusting screw 43. Thus said link serves a double purpose. The other purpose is to provide a connection between slide 31 and extension 29 such as to insure smooth and proper operation of the mechanism. As shown in Fig. 2, the centerline of said link is at an angle to the vertical plane of the diaphragm when the nozzle is not in use.

In operation of the device, the operator inserts pipe 19 into the neck of the fuel tank, pulls up end 12 of the operating lever and presses latch 13 in contact therewith. This opens valve 3 allowing liquid to flow into the tank. Air from vacuum chamber is drawn into passage 21 by the venturi eifect of the flowing liquid. Air to replace this flows in through opening 45, tube 44 and into vacuum chamber 22, thus preventing the formation of a vacuum at this stage. The position of pivot 32 is slightly to the right with the centerline of link 33 at an angle to the right of the vertical line through pivot 34. When the level of .liqnidin. the neck covers opening 45,. there, isv no. re.- placement of air in chamber 22, thereby creating a vacuum. This draws diaphragm 25 to the right against theuaction of spring 27. The lower end of link33 is pulled to the'right, as shownin Fig. 3, causing slide 31 :to. move. downwardly. Lever 11 pivoted at 8 has its left hand end moved downwardly, causing right hand end 12 to move upwardly whereby latch 13 moves to the right, releasing the operating lever. By action of spring 5,. valve 3 is caused to seat and to. cut off the flow of liquid.

The, operation of the device is smooth and automatic. Rollers 36 and 40 insure proper movement-of slide 31 and wear thereof is practically avoided. Screw43 allows adjustment of the movement of diaphragm 25 so that wear in the pump and in other elements is easily compensated for. There is no possibility. oi liquid from passage 121' backing; up through openingzl and into the vacuum chamber. for inspection of the mechanism and for repair or replacement of parts.

I claim:

1. In an automatic cut-off nozzle for liquids comprising a hollow body having a passage therethrough for the flow of liquid, a valve seat in said body and a springpressed valve seating thereon, a stem depending from said valve, an operating lever having an intermediate portion contacting said stem with means for latching said lever, a guard on said body enclosing said lever, a vacuum. chamber in said body, a spring-pressed diaphragm closing said chamber, an opening between said chamber and said passage, a connection betweensaid chamber and the end of said nozzle, the portion of said lever within said guard constituting a handle and the oppositeportionbeing pivoted toa rod, said rod being biased upwardly, a head attached to said diaphragm, and means for operatively connecting said head and said rod, the improvement which includes a slide secured at the end of said rod, said slide being connected tosaid head, a block attached to said body and having a fiat face in contact with a flat face on said slide.

2. In an automatic cut-oh" nozzle for liquids comprising a hollow body having a passage therethrough for the flow. of liquid, a valve seat in said body and a springpressed valve seating thereon, a stem depending from said valve, an operating lever having an intermediate portion contacting said steam with means for latching said lever, a guard on said body enclosing said lever, a vacuum chamber in said body, a spring-pressed diaphragm closing said chamber, an opening between said chamber and said passage, a connection between said chamber and the end of said nozzle, the portion of said lever within said guard constituting a handle and the Cover 42 may be readily removed opposite portion being pivoted to a rod, said rod being biased upwardly, a head attached to said, diaphragm, and means for operatively connecting said head and said rod, the improvement which includes a slide secured at the end of said rod, said slide being connected to said head, an adjusting screw in said slide in contact with said head.

3. In an automatic cut-oil nozzle for liquids comprising a hollow body having a passage therethrough for the flow of liquid, a valve seat in said body and a springpressed valve seating thereon, a stem depending from said valve, an operating lever having an intermediate portion contacting said stem with means for latching said lever, a guard on said body enclosing said lever, a vacuum chamber in said body, a spring-pressed diaphragm closing said chamber, an opening between said chamber and said passage, a connection between said chamber and the end of said nozzle, the portion of said lever Within said guard constituting a handle and the opposite portion being pivoted to a rod, said rod being biased upwardly, a head attached to said diaphragm, and means for operativelyconnecting said head and said rod, the improvement which includes a slide secured at the end of said rod, said slide being connected to said head, an adjusting screw in said slide in contact with said head, the aXis of said screw being approximately at right angles to the plane of said diaphragm.

4. In an automatic cut-oft": nozzle for liquids comprising a hollow body having a passage therethrough for the flow of liquid, a valve seat in said body and a springpressed valve seating thereon, a stem depending from said valve, an operating lever having an intermediate portion contacting said stem with means for latching said lever, a guard on said body enclosing said lever, a vacuum chamber in-said body, a spring-pressed diaphragm closing said chamber, an opening between said chamber and said passage, a connection between said chamber and the end of said nozzle, the portion of said lever within said guard constituting a handle and the opposite portion being pivoted to a rod, said rod being biased upwardly, a head attached to said diaphragm, and means for operatively connecting said head and said rod, the improvement which includes a slide secured at the end of said rod, said slide being connected to said head, a mesh fabric in said passage covering the passage end of said opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,320,033 Davis May 25, 1943 2,456,044 Biermann Dec. 14, 1948 2,492,355 Miller Dec. 27, 1949 2,528,747 Gravelle Nov. 7, 1950 2,595,166 Rhodes Apr. 29, 1952 2,675,952 Shatter et al. Apr. 20, 1954 

